Canadian Heritage Rivers System (CHRS)

National Significance

The Canadian Heritage Rivers
System (CHRS) was
created in 1984 by the federal, provincial and territorial governments. The CHRS aims
to conserve and protect the best examples of Canada’s river heritage,
to give them national recognition, and to encourage the public to enjoy, appreciate,
and honour them.

There are 37 Heritage Rivers across Canada, and more are being
added to the system each year. The goal is to establish a system that reflects
the diversity of Canada’s
river environments and celebrates the role of rivers in Canada’s history
and society.

Selection Process for Canadian Heritage Rivers

Establishing Canadian Heritage Rivers is a two-step process, nomination
and designation. A 15-member national board administers the system.
The board is made up of private citizens and senior officials from government
departments responsible for the protection of the Canadian environment.

Although river nominations may be submitted to the Canadian Heritage
Rivers Board only by participating governments, private citizens and groups
are encouraged to present submissions to their federal, provincial or
territorial board member for any river felt to be of outstanding Canadian
value.

To be considered, the river must possess outstanding natural and/or cultural
values. Accompanying recreational values are also given careful consideration.
There must exist a high level of public support, and it must be demonstrated
that sufficient measures will be put in place to ensure that the river’s
heritage values will be maintained. Based on these criteria, the responsible
government(s) decide(s) whether or not to pursue the
nomination of a specific river. Once nominated, the Board reviews the nomination
and, if it meets selection guidelines for the System, recommends it to
the responsible Ministers.

A nominated river becomes designated once a management plan or strategy,
that ensures the river will be managed to conserve its outstanding
natural, cultural and/or recreational values, is submitted to the Board by the nominating government(s).

Designated British Columbia Rivers Within
the Canadian
Heritage Rivers System

British Columbia presently has three rivers officially designated as “Canadian
Heritage Rivers.” Other B.C. rivers
have been nominated or await nomination, following a public consultation
process.